The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-07-28

be inferred from the fact that. in the
last II miles alone, we gained but ass
feet of altitude out of the 1.642 that we
had actually risen. AT this station re-
freshments were served up to the party
by an old trapper and his fraternity,
who provided, in their rude cabin the
only hotel accommodations between
Big Trees and the Yosemite.
During our repast we learned some.
thing of the peculiar life of this soil
tude. Among our interesting incidents
of the place there was once a herd of
deer rowing about in these mountain
wilds that made 1t part of the daily
programme to visit the old cabin on the
summit Having here received their
usual allowance OF salt and RECALLED
their appetites at the festive slop-pail,
they returned to their mountain fast
nesses, seemingly satisfied with the bill
of fare provided by their good natured
host. These were at least the feelings
which wo entertained as we took our
leave and sped away down from the
heights along precipitous trail toward
the valley. After advancing several
miles we reached an opening in the al
most interminable forest whence our
eyes were greeted by another beautiful
panorama of mountain scenery. Be-
yond the deep picturesque gorge on the
verge of which the mountain roadway
extends for several miles, could be
seen hills and mountains rolling away,
one above another. far in the distance.
and even the coast range, ut least a
hundred miles to the west, standing in
dim outline against the sky. But be-
hold. What is this? All at once we
reach the height overlooking the val
ley. A sign board discloses the fact
that we are on the Peak of Inspiration.
1t is, however, a precipice rather than
a peak. But in the manner of inspra-
ton there could be no question. as the
Yosemite unfolded its robes OF match
less beauty before Us.
Here, facing US from the opposite
side of the valley, is u huge promon-
tory Of granite. having smooth, polish
ed sides. handsomely striped with
peculiar tints Of light and shade, and
rising to the height of fifteen Bunker
Hill monuments or seven of Egypt's
highest pyramids. This we at once
recognize as the Ell Captain of which
Prof Whitney wrote: ''It is doubtful
if anywhere in the world is presented
so squarely cut, so lofty, and so inn
posing face of rock" As we stand
looking in wonder at this massive pile,
a beautiful silvery cloud settles down
upon its summit and presents. in the
light of the sinking sun, halo of indie.
scribable beauty browning the "Great
chief of the valley" Descending along
tortuous trail in the form of a win,-
ing staircase, we soon cross the path OF
the crock avalanche" that recently
tore up trees. breaking them into frag-
ments and creating the widest imagin-
able scene of destruction. AS we reach
Pohono bridge at the foot of the trail,
the beautiful Bridal fall appears in full
glory, sitting its waters over precipice
nearly one thousand feet above the
valley. In falling it breaks in to a
shower of mist that is so DETECTED by
currents of air, as to present the APP
pearance of white silkcn veil tossed
in the wind. On the opposite side of
the valley, the Ribbon or Virgin Tears
fall plunges, in slender stream, over
the head Of Ell Captain and breaks into
mist that. to all appearances. loses
itself in the air before it has completed
third of its journey. The upper part
of this miniature fall being observed
by the nebulous halo resting on Ell
Captain, the novel spectacle is present
ed of delicate cascade falling directly
from the clouds.
Three massive monoliths, called the
Three Brothers, now rise up before us
the highest six hundred feet above
Ell Captain. Now Cathedral rock and
its two graceful sprires loom into view,
reaching heights before which Trinity
and st. Patrick's would appear like
pigmies in the presence of Hercules.
Anon 1.-The Sentinel" appears-a col
ossal granite obelisk perched upon an
eminence two thousand feet above the
valley. and rising above this, fifteen
times the height of Cleopatra's needle.
Wonder follows upon wonder, and all
at once the Yosemite falls breaks into
full view, facing the giant Sentinel and
pouring its restless, roaring waters
over precipice half mile above our
heads, or more than sixteen times the
height of Nlagra. The highest portion
of its white feathery column is soon
enveloped in cumbrous cloud of mist
and again we have the marvellous sight
of cataract falling directly from the
heavens. YOSEMITE must be seen to be
known. There is no such thing as
giving an adequate description of these
massive walls, these towering columns,
these flashing. clashing waterfalls of
untold beauty. The setting sun shin
ing upon their rocky heights; the spec
trail colors CHANGING in their foaming
waters; the mystic clouds settling down
at night fall upon the + dizzy SUBMITS;
drifting spray rising from the earth.
and cataracts falling from the sky all
combine to form galaxy of glories
which neither pen nor pencil can hope
to reproduce. There are three good
hotels here in the valley and another
in process of construction-all under
the control of the state government.